Have Portsmouth just left Sunderland free to sign Jayden Stockley?

With Jayden Stockley in the form of his life, it was only a matter of time before the Exeter City talisman started to attract interest from clubs higher up the Football League.

Stockley has scored 16 times in 24 League Two starts, including a hat-trick against Yeovil Town in December.

The Mirror (2 January, page 45) has reported that a Sunderland side who have been heavily tipped to sign a striker in January are battling League One title rivals Portsmouth for his signature.

And Jack Ross’ Black Cats appear to have been handed a major boost in pursuit of the 25-year-old Stockley.

Speaking to The News, Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has indicated that he could leave Sunderland free to sign one of the most prolific centre-forwards in English football right now.

"We haven’t made an approach for him (Stockley), he’s not one we are looking at,” Jackett said.

With a release clause of just £750,000 in his contract, Stockley could prove to be a bargain signing for a Sunderland side who are hoping to ensure their spell in the third tier of English football is a short one.

Danny Owen

Daniel is a Journalist graduate from Leeds Trinity University and is generally obsessed with everything football related. Daniel watches everything from Augsburg in the Bundesliga to Vitesse in the Eredivisie with as much La Liga as possible thrown in for good measure.